Waqar joins Sunrisers as bowling consultant

Waqar Younis, the former Pakistan fast bowler, captain and coach, will be joining Sunrisers Hyderabad as a bowling consultant for the 2013 IPL season. Waqar will be the second Pakistani bowling coach in the IPL, following the footsteps of his former new-ball partner Wasim Akram, who has performed the same role with defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders since 2010. Akram, though, has taken a break this season.

Former Australia allrounder Tom Moody, who is the Sunrisers' head coach, was active in hiring Waqar, who is based in Sydney. "Tom is a fine buddy since our playing days and he asked me if I could come and help and I accepted the offer," Waqar told ESPNcricinfo. "I want to go and have a feel about it and how it works."

After he stepped down as Pakistan's head coach in September 2011, Waqar coached Ruhuna Royals in the inaugural Sri Lanka Premier League last year. During his stint as Pakistan coach, Waqar was instrumental in leading Pakistan to the semi-finals of the 2010 World Twenty20 in the West Indies where they were silenced by Michael Hussey's heroics late in the match.

Waqar said the IPL job would be a good challenge. "I am going to go the way I go about things. It will be a good experience for me also to interact with a lot of fast bowlers." And he has already set himself a goal: working closely with the Indian fast bowler Ishant Sharma. "I am really excited to work with Ishant Sharma. He can be a better bowler than he is."

Dale Steyn, Clint McKay, Sudeep Tyagi are some of the other quick bowlers in the Sunrisers squad, who are bound to benefit from Waqar's vast experience.

"We hope Waqar's experience and Steyn's expertise will help our bowlers restrict the opposition batsmen's charge and reduce the pressure on our batsmen," a Sunrisers' official said on Waqar's appointment.

Last October, the Sunrisers replaced Deccan Chargers in the IPL after the BCCI had terminated the contract with Deccan Chronicles Holdings Ltd (owners of the Chargers), due to a prolonged financial crisis. Sun TV network successfully bid for the franchise rights for 85.05 crores per year (approx $15.9m) for a five-year deal.

@jimmy2s I think people misunderstood your comment. Clearly you meant that in a positive way.
Dale Steyn (who is one of the best bowler in the world today) being coached by Waqar (who was one of the best bowlers of yesterday) the world does not need this (the product it will produce with this combo) Have mercy (on the batsmen).

dariuscorny
on March 10, 2013, 11:57 GMT

@heartbreakerz wrong said a teams greatness is only measured by its performances in WCs and the no. of times they hv won it coz u got to accept it ,its grandest stages of all,and mate Ind lost no. of matches in Sharjah moreover coz of biased umpiring in those days......better talk about last decade...chill

heartbreakerz
on March 9, 2013, 19:47 GMT

dariuscorny...cricket isn't only about wc, just have a look at d overall stats in every format, it clearly shows which team is mediocre

riz309
on March 9, 2013, 17:59 GMT

@jimmy2 What's up buddy what world you live in??Waqar Ave 23.84 Ecom4.68 S/R30.5 as compared to STYEN Ave 29.15 Ecom a WHOPPING 5.01 S/R 34.8 that's in ODI the closest to T20 don't you think Styen might learn how to bowl toe crushing foot holes, a little bit of reverse swing to bring his bowling Ave closer to the best in business....lol

30-30-150
on March 9, 2013, 16:16 GMT

@abcdef_12345 - Honestly Sangakkara is just a flat-track bully. He may have 31 Test centuries but about 26 of them have come in Asia (as many as 19 centuries on those Sri Lankan highways!!). His batting looks good for the eye but I wouldn't rate him 'great'.

Kashif.Anwar
on March 9, 2013, 15:44 GMT

@jimmy2s I think you don't know what Waqar did as a bowler when he was in his prime form. He was way faster than steyn and of course a better exponent of reverse swing than anyone would ever be. I have yet to see half the quality of toe crushers that Waqar used to bowl. Steyn is the similar kind of bowler as waqar was... bowling full and allowing the ball to swing and dip late. I think he will benefit the most from Waqar.

British_North_America
on March 9, 2013, 11:46 GMT

jimmy2s Then why someone like Sangakara needs to be coached by Tom Moody?

dummy4fb
on March 9, 2013, 10:41 GMT

Was Ishant not in KKR with Wasim as the coach? He wasted an opportunity there. I have a feeling he will waste another opportunity to learn from Waqar.

dariuscorny
on March 9, 2013, 10:15 GMT

@Ejaz Ahmad well said and these low profile players hv beaten your team in every WC that is why ipl does not require your mediocre players,waqar,wasim exception....cheers

Rajeev129
on March 9, 2013, 9:35 GMT

Is he allowed to play ? I would rate him as a better bowler than any other except Steyn in that squad.

riz8663
on March 11, 2013, 12:53 GMT

@jimmy2s I think people misunderstood your comment. Clearly you meant that in a positive way.
Dale Steyn (who is one of the best bowler in the world today) being coached by Waqar (who was one of the best bowlers of yesterday) the world does not need this (the product it will produce with this combo) Have mercy (on the batsmen).

dariuscorny
on March 10, 2013, 11:57 GMT

@heartbreakerz wrong said a teams greatness is only measured by its performances in WCs and the no. of times they hv won it coz u got to accept it ,its grandest stages of all,and mate Ind lost no. of matches in Sharjah moreover coz of biased umpiring in those days......better talk about last decade...chill

heartbreakerz
on March 9, 2013, 19:47 GMT

dariuscorny...cricket isn't only about wc, just have a look at d overall stats in every format, it clearly shows which team is mediocre

riz309
on March 9, 2013, 17:59 GMT

@jimmy2 What's up buddy what world you live in??Waqar Ave 23.84 Ecom4.68 S/R30.5 as compared to STYEN Ave 29.15 Ecom a WHOPPING 5.01 S/R 34.8 that's in ODI the closest to T20 don't you think Styen might learn how to bowl toe crushing foot holes, a little bit of reverse swing to bring his bowling Ave closer to the best in business....lol

30-30-150
on March 9, 2013, 16:16 GMT

@abcdef_12345 - Honestly Sangakkara is just a flat-track bully. He may have 31 Test centuries but about 26 of them have come in Asia (as many as 19 centuries on those Sri Lankan highways!!). His batting looks good for the eye but I wouldn't rate him 'great'.

Kashif.Anwar
on March 9, 2013, 15:44 GMT

@jimmy2s I think you don't know what Waqar did as a bowler when he was in his prime form. He was way faster than steyn and of course a better exponent of reverse swing than anyone would ever be. I have yet to see half the quality of toe crushers that Waqar used to bowl. Steyn is the similar kind of bowler as waqar was... bowling full and allowing the ball to swing and dip late. I think he will benefit the most from Waqar.

British_North_America
on March 9, 2013, 11:46 GMT

jimmy2s Then why someone like Sangakara needs to be coached by Tom Moody?

dummy4fb
on March 9, 2013, 10:41 GMT

Was Ishant not in KKR with Wasim as the coach? He wasted an opportunity there. I have a feeling he will waste another opportunity to learn from Waqar.

dariuscorny
on March 9, 2013, 10:15 GMT

@Ejaz Ahmad well said and these low profile players hv beaten your team in every WC that is why ipl does not require your mediocre players,waqar,wasim exception....cheers

Rajeev129
on March 9, 2013, 9:35 GMT

Is he allowed to play ? I would rate him as a better bowler than any other except Steyn in that squad.

dariuscorny
on March 9, 2013, 9:24 GMT

"I am really excited to work with Ishant Sharma. He can be a better bowler than he is." it is the most hillarious comment means he is upto one hell of a challenge i.e. how to make Ishant bowl....

dummy4fb
on March 9, 2013, 9:18 GMT

They are only hiring what is good for Indian Cricket. They can say no to Pakistani Player cause that will lower their own player's price but while hiring a coach there is no issue cause their aren't many choices.

Pathiyal
on March 9, 2013, 9:00 GMT

waqar can possibly communicate easier than dale with indian youngsters when it comes to bowling tips. anyways with both of them involved in one team, i hope hyd'bad will be a better bowling side. and then they have Sanga, Cameron White, JP, Nathan McCullum, Shikhar Dhawan etc.

PkZindabaad
on March 9, 2013, 6:15 GMT

Waqar should not have accepted as our national players were left gasping with no Indian invitation to play in IPL. In fact there are not willing to visit or play in neutral venues.

Cricket_Man
on March 9, 2013, 5:58 GMT

Here is a lesson for PCB. If you aren't going to respect your heroes then someone else will.

USMANRANDHAWA
on March 9, 2013, 5:38 GMT

Waqar is far batter than steyn, Steyn is a good bowler no doubt but only in his own conditions but Waqar is a master blaster in each and every condition.There is no comparison in Waqar & steyn. He is an asset for Pakistan. Indian should learn from Waqar's academy.

dummy4fb
on March 9, 2013, 2:55 GMT

Is Ishant fit enough to play? He was complaining about some problems. I thought he was going to take a break again.

dummy4fb
on March 9, 2013, 2:35 GMT

Dale steyn to become even more formidable from now on with Waqar alongside him...!! A nuclear tipped arrow to be precise...!!! Oops, batsmen the world over, beware...!!!

torsha
on March 9, 2013, 1:38 GMT

Good to see Pakistani bowlers as coaches for Delhi and Hyderabad. First Mustaq and now Waqar. Hyderabad got some serious players there.

dummy4fb
on March 8, 2013, 23:03 GMT

Best of Luck Wiqi.... It will be good to c u in IPL.....

dummy4fb
on March 8, 2013, 21:56 GMT

If Pak players are not allowed then Pak Coaches or ex players shudnt be allowed as well

dummy4fb
on March 8, 2013, 21:55 GMT

MrJimmy look at the stats of Waqar Younas ans Steyn in both the longer and short formats. Waqar's stats are on flat tracks. Steyn is a really good bowler of his own era.He can learn much from Waqar. Steyn is a 2nd class bowler when the ball is old. He is only a new ball bowler.

avmd
on March 8, 2013, 19:16 GMT

Waqar is a professional, he has all the rights to join whatrever he preferred to, but I wish Pakistan board could keep him as a long term bowling coach. Pak badly need someone like him or Wasim, both are now involved in IPL coaching. Now, I hope Ishant, other young Indians and even Styne make best use of this awesome opportunity. Now I have at least one reason to watch IPL.

wrenx
on March 8, 2013, 19:01 GMT

Dale Steyn being coached by Waqar Younis? The world does not need this. Have mercy

warneneverchuck
on March 8, 2013, 18:18 GMT

Instead of coaching he shud play

dummy4fb
on March 8, 2013, 17:57 GMT

Waqa n Steyn, hell of a combo !!

dummy4fb
on March 8, 2013, 15:30 GMT

great bowler coaching in IPL good news

class9ryan
on March 8, 2013, 14:23 GMT

Dale Steyn alongside such a great in Waqar surely will be eye catching... Morever waqar will have a oppurtunity to coach a player of Steyn's standards

dummy4fb
on March 8, 2013, 14:23 GMT

steyn and waqar best combination. der is also grt news for india. ishant gets trained by waqar. indias pace spearhead has a big chance to improve. Playing alongside steyn and getting coached by younis is evry fast bowlers dream. also this wil help the sunrisers bowling unit a lot as dey wer really slack last time excluding steyn. dale steyn and ishant sharma. grt pace attak.ashish reddy was really gud with the slower ball last time. he haz improved a lot n his batting. so he will compliment steyn and ishant. also we hav vp singh and clint mckay and juan theron. the spin will be managed by amit mishra and ankit sharma.

dummy4fb
on March 8, 2013, 12:30 GMT

Waqar Younis can teach Ishant Sharma but will he be able to get him to cut his hair? Waqar has said it on tv that they could be the problem.

dummy4fb
on March 8, 2013, 11:40 GMT

Few months ago waqar has said he is disappointed with ishant ,with his pace and ability bowling the ball bit short and not giving himself a chance to take wickets. Now that waqar is joining him in sunrisers team he can teach him the art of taking wickets. I always felt the mantra to take wickets is to bowl full.

dummy4fb
on March 8, 2013, 11:21 GMT

This is a great move by My Hyderabad Sunrisers. And, for Waqar to say he is excited to work with Ishant and improve is great to hear. Hope Ishant improves playing alongside Steyn and getting coached by Waqar.

dummy4fb
on March 8, 2013, 11:15 GMT

Indian officials certainly missing a point here by not inviting Pakistani players in IPL-3, Indians are always a big fan of Pakistani players and this will be a big appointment for them. BCCI must rethink about the strategy.

uzairamir
on March 8, 2013, 10:34 GMT

if waqar younis could teach steyn the art of reverse swing then steyn would be double the success he is now

dummy4fb
on March 8, 2013, 10:23 GMT

It is a intelligent move by Hydrabad club.He was a massive bowler with fantastic proven records.you will not find this kind of people with huge knowledge of the game very oftenly.

dummy4fb
on March 8, 2013, 10:20 GMT

Ok so now Dale Steyn will be bowling good not only with new ball but will reverse it when its old and will also learn to bowl good in sub-continent. Excited to see how it goes. Best of luck KKR :)

Dil-Dil-Pakistan
on March 8, 2013, 10:19 GMT

I totally agree with (Edassery)No doubt it is a double stander of IPL management & authorities.thay are allow the Pakistani coaches and commentators,in IPL why not the Pakistan players.

Kalyanb85
on March 8, 2013, 10:14 GMT

Great news.I ndon't really care about the IPL but I hope Ishant can take in as much as he can from this Legend. And if Steyn has the willingness to learn, Imagine what he can be after this. Fast bowling is the best art in this world!!

ahtasham.rvj
on March 8, 2013, 10:11 GMT

This shows the double standard of BCCI and they don't allow Pakistani cricketers but allows the coaches and commentators from the same country....this is totally hypocrisy and double standard of BCCI.........

dummy4fb
on March 8, 2013, 10:11 GMT

right decision by sunrisers

Taha_Farrukh
on March 8, 2013, 10:08 GMT

Really good move by riser.....y not Pakistani player not allowed in IPL ...very strange.............

shan.shan
on March 8, 2013, 10:06 GMT

A golden chance for indian bowler to learn the art of swing bowling in both ways with a massive pace........guys plz get the most out of this......

dummy4fb
on March 8, 2013, 9:58 GMT

its a very wise decision by the franchiese......best of luck this time...cheers....

Edassery
on March 8, 2013, 9:57 GMT

Totally agree with sramesh_74. If they can pool in Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis as coaches and some others as commentators, why not the Pakistan players. The other funny exception is the inclusion of now 'British' then 'Pakistani' Azhar Mahmood. It's nothing but double standard by the Indian IPL authorities.

Inclusion of some good limited over players from Pakistan will definitely add more spice to IPL than some of those high profile hires from Australia etc.

dummy4fb
on March 8, 2013, 9:50 GMT

Fantastic movie by Sunrisers. Waqar was the greatest exponent of prodigious reverse swing that too at express speeds.. The sunrisers bowlers should learn a lot from him...

sunrisers_dktej
on March 8, 2013, 9:49 GMT

Waqar to coach Steyn. . .Great combination

stormer1980
on March 8, 2013, 9:47 GMT

Nice one ... Steyn bowling coach international is Allan Donald and now gets to work with the great Waqar Younis... We'll not only see Steyn swinging the ball at will anymore but also reversing it with the old ball ... Thank you Moody ..

dummy4fb
on March 8, 2013, 9:46 GMT

this is a very intelligent move by sunrisers hyderabad. i think they will win ipl 2013

this is a very intelligent move by sunrisers hyderabad. i think they will win ipl 2013

stormer1980
on March 8, 2013, 9:47 GMT

Nice one ... Steyn bowling coach international is Allan Donald and now gets to work with the great Waqar Younis... We'll not only see Steyn swinging the ball at will anymore but also reversing it with the old ball ... Thank you Moody ..

sunrisers_dktej
on March 8, 2013, 9:49 GMT

Waqar to coach Steyn. . .Great combination

dummy4fb
on March 8, 2013, 9:50 GMT

Fantastic movie by Sunrisers. Waqar was the greatest exponent of prodigious reverse swing that too at express speeds.. The sunrisers bowlers should learn a lot from him...